decide on a future direction for Steamtown. It was attended by more than 60 people. The mayor said the object of the evening was "to find out what – if any – community support existed for the further council development of Steamtown". She stated, "Council has already invested $199,000 in Steamtown, of which $83,000 was grant funding", and added that if the decision was taken to sell off the assets, Peterborough would lose a wonderful community asset. "Contrary to rumour, council is not hell-bent on closing Steamtown. It is realistic to say that trains are never likely to run again, due to issues such as track maintenance, insurance, lack of volunteers and money to do what other railway societies are doing." The meeting heard that rolling stock and civil assets of the society had received only limited maintenance, mainly as a consequence of lack of resources. The track, last re-sleepered by the SAR in the late 1960s and early 1970s, was also deteriorating: "facts were presented showing that since the 1970s, the society had seriously underspent in maintenance on track infrastructure". It would have to be brought to a satisfactory standard before the trains could run again; but engineers' reports had shown that a $2.4 million track upgrade and annual spending of $155,000 on track maintenance would need to be spent. For the tourist attraction to reach a break-even figure, three trains a week, filled to capacity would be required – a difficult target given its limited market base. The mayor urged community members to make their feelings known to the council. Static museum and son et lumière Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc. was dissolved as an incorporated entity on 13 January 2005; its Australian Business Number was cancelled on 31 December 2004. Rails on the line used by the society were removed at the end of 2008 with the exception of those at Pekina Creek, Black Rock yard, Black Rock bridge, Walloway yard to Walloway Creek, and in the Orroroo yard. Sales of the rail, together with some funds from the council, contributed to enhancements of the roundhouse complex, including development of a striking "sound and light show" at the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, managed by the council. Notes References Further reading External links Sydney Morning Herald - Steamtown Peterborough Heritage railways in Australia Railway museums in South Australia History of transport in South Australia 1977 establishments in